400 radiator bolt/nut

56 Fan 400 · Jun 13, 2016

On the 400, how does the tin covering it get attached to the radiator so the front grill can be attached to the captive nuts on that frame? I see 2 holes but no nuts. All I see is a round hole. Is there an insert that is missing or something? Dont prefer plastic, but probably would need that and a spacer?? Thanks.

Bob · Jun 13, 2016

Parts breakdown shows "Speed Grip" captive nuts # 362662R91 (5/16" NF), and "Spring Nuts" # 131-883 (5/16" NC) and refers to Note A and Note B, but I don't see the notes!
Parts breakdown

56 Fan 400 · Jun 13, 2016

Yep...but that was not the answer I was looking for. I went to one of the boneyards near me and looked at their only 400. The radiator has the threads imbedded into the outer cover. On mine, the threads are gone and there is a blank round hole where there should be threading. The dude there and me pretty much said that we could sweat the outside of the radiator off and replace/repair it...but that is not the direction I want to go. It is a work vehicle...I am gonna make it work.

Janicholson · Jun 13, 2016

How about a thread insert Like Time Sert to remake threads. Jim

56 Fan 400 · Jun 13, 2016

(quoted from post at 16:17:02 06/13/16) How about a thread insert Like Time Sert to remake threads. Jim

There is no thread to help it or secure it. It is a piece of sheet metal now on both sides. I have approximately a 1/4 inch gap on both sides of the radiator front and back above the hole to work with and am thinking on that too.

Since it is a bubbled up situation, I wonder if I cut a slice in the frame enuff to put a flat blade insert in would work..If I can find the right size. I would rather keep them all 5/16 if possible. And that would be concealed by the cover on both sides. I think the bubbled up spot for the old insert is about 1/8 inch depth outward.

D Slater · Jun 13, 2016

Used two repair ways on the lower holes with missing or damaged nuts without removing the thin side panels depending on how good I want. Take a 1/8 thick by 1 or 1-1/4 wide strap about 3 inches or so long. Drill a hole in center of strap the nut just fits in. make it flush on one side and weld nut to plate. Drill two holes in side panel above and below bolt hole. Slide plate in between panel and core with bolt installed to hold in place. Weld to panel at the two drilled holes. Or weld nut to strap plate long enough to slide in from the front before grill is installed. Need to bend a little, hold with hand and install bolt. If I remember correct the grill attaches at the bolt on bracket and not the side panels on radiator. Oversized 5/16 nut that uses a 9/16 wrench size works best to weld. Wouldn't worry about fine or coarse threads because they used radiators with both threads.

Tom Dowling · Jun 13, 2016

I understand what you mean about the round hole on the side of the radiator where the lower bolt goes my 400 had the same
problem. There is supposed to be a nut tacked there on the inside that has come loose and is now in between the radiator core
and side case. To repair it the right way you need to disassemble the radiator and weld the nuts back on from the backside.
BUT if your like me and don't want to go that route there is a way to get a cage nut in there on the back side and keep it
from spinning in the hole, problem is I'll have to look at the tractor to refresh my memory as to how I did it. I'll post back
tomorrow with the information.

Janicholson · Jun 13, 2016

If you braze or weld a nut to a 2" long X 1/2 Wide X 1/8th thick chunk of strap, you can lower it down in the pocket, and it will hold itself
from turning. Jim

56 Fan 400 · Jun 14, 2016

(quoted from post at 21:32:07 06/13/16) If you braze or weld a nut to a 2" long X 1/2 Wide X 1/8th thick chunk of strap, you can lower it down in the pocket, and it will hold itself
from turning. Jim

That is one of the things I am considering. Just need to make the nut fit that small gap and put that strap in, mark it, then drill/weld. I am thinking about a piece of strap going in from the engine side down at an angle to the hole, mark it, then weld a nut that fits that small hole/gap. Make the strap just a tad bit longer than needed so I can remove it if necessary. I can bend/notch/wrap it around to keep access to it.

D Slater · Jun 14, 2016

Looked to refresh memory this morning. Off on the strap size, 3/4 wide was used on some and one inch on others. Depends on the radiator. Picture is a 350 but 400 about the same, you can just see the end of strap out the slotted hole. I just drilled and tapped threads in that strap. Usually put them in from the front so they don't show. Bought this tractor with bolt and nut missing so went in the back to repair without removing the grill because I was going to resale but decided to keep it. Don't know what you mean by spacers, but a bracket like this goes on and spaces the top hole out from the radiator a little. Also the lower front hood side attaches to one hole.
Was thinking of letter series where the complete grill doesn't come out about tack welding strap to side plates. 3/4 wide 1/4 thick works good for drilling and tapping threads. May need to grind edge at slotted hole sometimes to drop to the correct line up. slight double bend in strap will let it sit flat on radiator side.

56 Fan 400 · Jun 14, 2016

Good stuff here. Thanks. Just found in my piles of....collectables...a couple of straps of material that may work. I also tried both sides of the tractor and can only get in from the front on the drivers side. I can get in from both front and back on the passenger side. But right now, ma nature is saying hello to me. Saw the rainbow when I was on the way back inside. And it was not skittles. LOL

400 radiator bolt/nut

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